Type: Ingredient entity — regulatory & claim record
Topic: Alpha-Bisabolol (알파-비사보롤) — cosmetic ingredient
Evidence basis: MFDS functional-cosmetic notification (기능성화장품 심사에 관한 규정 별표4, 고시 제2025-88호), PubChem chemical identity
Last Verified: 2026-07-13
This page does not make treatment, disease prevention, or efficacy claims. See the Evidence Boundaries section.
Alpha-Bisabolol (Korean: 알파-비사보롤) is recorded here as a functional-cosmetic ingredient within Korea’s regulatory framework. It appears on the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) list of ingredients whose efficacy data may be omitted for a functional cosmetic — specifically under the “skin whitening” category of Annex 4 of the Regulation on the Review of Functional Cosmetics (고시 제2025-88호).
Being on this list means the regulator has predefined an approved ingredient, a maximum content, and a fixed efficacy phrase for whitening products. It does not describe how well the ingredient works, nor does it authorize any wording beyond the notified phrase. This page organizes what the notification actually states, and where the boundary of that statement lies.
Alpha-Bisabolol is used in cosmetic formulations in the skin-whitening category. Under the notification, its permitted content is 0.5%, and its use is limited to lotion, liquid, cream, and sheet-mask (침적 마스크) product forms.
Ingredient Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Ingredient Name | Alpha-Bisabolol |
| Korean Name | 알파-비사보롤 |
| INCI Name | Bisabolol |
| Synonyms | α-Bisabolol; Bisabolol |
| CAS No. | 515-69-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C15H26O |
| Ingredient Type | Functional cosmetic ingredient |
| Cosmetic Role | Skin whitening (기능성 — 미백) |
| Supplement Function | Unknown / Not applicable |
| Status | To Review |
Chemical identity (CAS 515-69-5, molecular formula C15H26O, PubChem CID 1549992) and the INCI name “Bisabolol” are from PubChem. Note: CAS 515-69-5 refers to α-bisabolol; the (−)-enantiomer “Levomenol” is a distinct CAS and is not asserted here.
Regulatory Records
| Record Type | Jurisdiction | Issuing Body | Record Number | Scope | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional cosmetic notification (별표4 고시원료) | Korea (KR) | MFDS (식품의약품안전처) | 고시 제2025-88호 | Annex 4, item 2 (skin whitening) — 성분명 알파-비사보롤 / 함량 0.5%; forms limited to lotion, liquid, cream, sheet mask | Active / To Review | MFDS 별표4 (law.go.kr) |
Directly verified against the notification text (별표4 제2호). The notified efficacy phrase for this whitening category is “피부의 미백에 도움을 준다” (“helps with skin whitening”).
Claim Safety Matrix
⚠️ Claim classification below reflects the DB record and requires human regulatory review before publication.
| Claim Text | Claim Type | Why It Matters | Safer Alternative Wording | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “피부의 미백에 도움을 준다” (“Helps with skin whitening”), at 0.5% content in the specified product forms | Allowed | This is the exact efficacy phrase the notification fixes for the whitening category. It is permitted only at the notified content (0.5%) and product forms; the wording itself is defined by the regulator, not chosen by the marketer. | Use the notified phrase verbatim: “피부의 미백에 도움을 준다.” | MFDS 고시 제2025-88호 별표4 제2호 |
| “미백 치료” / “기미·잡티 제거” / “표백” (“whitening treatment / removes blemishes / bleaching”) | Avoid | The notified efficacy is limited to “helps with skin whitening.” Treatment, removal, or bleaching wording implies a drug-like or complete-removal effect that exceeds the notified scope. | Replace with the notified phrase “피부의 미백에 도움을 준다.” | MFDS 고시 제2025-88호 별표4 (efficacy scope limit) |
Evidence Boundaries: What This Page Does Not Claim
The following claims are outside the scope of this ingredient record:
No disease treatment or prevention. The notification defines a cosmetic whitening function only; it does not support treating or preventing any skin disease or pigmentary disorder.
No drug-like efficacy. Wording such as “treatment,” “removal,” or “bleaching” implies a pharmaceutical or complete-removal effect that exceeds the notified phrase and is not supported here.
No guaranteed or individual results. Regulatory listing predefines an approved phrase and content; it does not measure or guarantee any individual outcome.
No content or efficacy beyond the notification. Content above 0.5% or product forms outside the notified list (lotion, liquid, cream, sheet mask) fall outside this record.
Related Entities
Related Ingredients
- Arbutin — another notified skin-whitening ingredient
- Niacinamide — notified skin-whitening ingredient (별표4)
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — notified skin-whitening ingredient (별표4)
- Ascorbyl Glucoside — notified skin-whitening ingredient (별표4)
Related Product Types
- Functional whitening cosmetics (기능성화장품 — 미백): lotion, liquid, cream, sheet mask
Related Claims
- Notified whitening efficacy phrase (“피부의 미백에 도움을 준다”)
- Efficacy-scope boundary (treatment / removal / bleaching wording excluded)
Related Regulatory Concepts
- 기능성화장품 (functional cosmetics) — Annex 4 data-omission list
- MFDS 고시 제2025-88호 (Regulation on the Review of Functional Cosmetics)
Source Transparency Note
This page uses the following source classification:
| Source | Role | Authority Scope | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFDS 고시 제2025-88호 (별표4) | Regulatory | Approved whitening ingredient, notified content (0.5%), fixed efficacy phrase | 화장품 한정 — 효능 정도·개인별 결과는 규정하지 않음 |
| PubChem | Chemical identity | CAS No. 515-69-5, molecular identity (CID 1549992) | 규제·claim 근거 아님 |
KCIA is used for naming/synonym confirmation only and is not used as the basis for any functional or medical claim. The KCIA cosmetic naming check for this ingredient is still pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpha-Bisabolol a regulated cosmetic ingredient in Korea?
Yes. Alpha-Bisabolol is listed by the MFDS in Annex 4 of the Regulation on the Review of Functional Cosmetics (고시 제2025-88호) as a skin-whitening ingredient whose efficacy data may be omitted, at a notified content of 0.5%.
What whitening claim is allowed for Alpha-Bisabolol in Korean cosmetics?
The notification fixes the efficacy phrase “피부의 미백에 도움을 준다” (“helps with skin whitening”) for this category. Alpha-Bisabolol products should use this notified wording rather than stronger claims.
Can Alpha-Bisabolol claims mention disease treatment or blemish removal?
No. Wording such as “whitening treatment,” “blemish removal,” or “bleaching” exceeds the notified whitening phrase for Alpha-Bisabolol and implies drug-like or complete-removal effects that are outside this record’s scope.
At what content is Alpha-Bisabolol notified for whitening?
The notified content is 0.5%, in lotion, liquid, cream, and sheet-mask (침적 마스크) product forms.